Switch-operating mechanism.



c. w. SQUIRES.

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM APPLICATION FILED FEB. 4, I914.

Patented Oct. 3,1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET] INVENTOR.

WITUAESSES: MS. 6, I [4 5 4 A TTORNEY.

rzns ca. Puma-Linux, WASHING mm o c C. W. SQUIRES.

SWITCH OPERATlNG MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.4,1914.

1 ,1 99,83 1 Patented Oct. 3, 1916.

5 SHEETS- SHEET 2- INSULATION WITNESSES: INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

m: Nanms PEYFRS w, PHOIO LITHO. wAsmm-mm 11.4;

C. W. SQUIRES.

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 4. 1914.

1,199,831. Patented 0013.3,1916.

5 SHEETSSH EET 3.

INSULATI UN Flg @Mo WITNESSES: INVENTOR. 1 ,0 MAM A TTORNEY.

C. W. SQUIRES.

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 4. 1914.

1,199,881. mama 001. 3,1916.

5 SHEETSSHEET 4.

\ X LUIM $1 191 141 WITNESSES: IN VEN TOR.

M, 6. m1 4 Y W 5 I BY A TTORNE Y.

c. w. SQUIRES.

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM,

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 4. 1914.

1,199,831. I Patented. 00t.3,1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

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M10; 4-6. m BY ATTORNEY.

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CHARLES WM. soumns, or BEVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS.

swrrcn-ornnarrnc MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented 001;. 3, 1916.

Application filed February a, 1914. Serial No. 816,498.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES -W. S UIRns, of Beverly, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, a citizen of the United States, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Switch-Operating Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the type of switch shown and described in Letters Patent No. 1,080,730, issued to me December 9, 1913. The mechanism described in that patent comprises among other parts, a contact carriage which is rocked by the movement of a trip lever which is struck by the trolley carried by the car and which carries two arms which close a circuit when the carriage is rocked, the circuit remaining closed for a sufliciently long time to insure the'throwing of the track switch. In the patent referred to an electro-ma-gnet in a shunt circuit is employed to return the carriage to its normal position, thus breaking thecircuit.

My present invention consists in mechanical means for accomplishing this result, thus allowing the electro-magnet which in my former patent was part of the main instrument to be located at a distance therefrom, for eX- ample, on a post by the roadside, proper wire connections being made with the instrument.

It also consists in certain details which render the device as a whole more efficient.

My invention will be understood by reference to the drawings in which it is shown in its preferred form.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a circuit controller embodying my invention, the side walls being omitted. Fig. 2 is a similar view, enlarged, of the carriage-operating mechanism, a portion being broken away to show its interior construction. Fig. 3 is a plan of the carriage. Fig. 4 is a detail'of a portion of the carriage-detainer and the end of the latch which engages therewith. Fig.

5 is a sectional detail of the dashpot which.

forms part of the carriage-detainer. Fig. 6 is a front view of the switch circuit closer. Figs. 7 8 and 9 are respectively a plan, a side View and an under view of the rail by which my device is attached to the trolley wire. Fig. 10 shows the bent portion ofthe trolley wire. Fig. 11 is a' section on line .mm of Fig. 8. Fig. 12 is a plan of-the threaded extensions a through the rail A and are held in place by track switch operating box, and Fig. 13 a SlClG elevation thereof broken away to show the journal box locking means, as well as other parts as preferably arranged. Fig. H is a detall perspective view of the journal box and key block.

The means for supporting mydevice on the trolley wire is in the main fully described in my patent above referred to. 'The rail is shown at A and the, trolley wire at A As shown, however, in Figs. 9 and 11 the rail is provided with reinforcing shoes (1 bolted to the rail as at a which receive the wear of the trolley. These shoes are interchangeable and can be easily replaced when worn without removing the rail and apparatus from the trolley wire. As in my said patent, the instrument is preferably mounted on two wooden blocks B triangular in cross section which are attached to the upper side of the rail A to form a flat flooring on which rests a 'metalplate 13 An opening B through this plate, the blocks and the rail allows the trip lever C to pass down into the path of the trolley. The trolley wire A is bent as shown in Figs. 9 and 10 and held in place and out of the way of the opening B so as not to interfere with the movement of the trip lever C and in contact with the metalplateB by screws 0: The

rail and its connecting parts are attached to the trolley wire by clench earsv a having nuts. The clench ears are insulated from the rail A, thus insulating the rail from the trolley wire.

The frame for the controller comprises a I bent plate D of insulating material which is mounted on a wooden baseboard D or otherwise insulated from the metal baseplate B which is'in the circuit of the trolley wire and on which the baseboard l) or its equivalent rests. Partitions of insulating material E and F are erected between the baseboard D and the under side of the bent plate D and in addition two plates G of insulating material are mounted on the base board. each carrying a block 9 on its outer side, the space between the plates G and blocks gserving as a chamber within which the detai-ning mechanism operates. Only one of the pl ws is SllQWltf Each block carries a- '85 which pass up metallic plate to serve as an electric contact as below described.

The trip lever C is preferably made of non-conducting material and is hung on a pin 0 which is mounted in bearings formed in two uprights H which extend from the baseboard D to the plate D. These uprights are alike and are mounted opposite each other, one on each edge of the baseboard D @ne only is shown. The lever C has a hook or engaging portion 0 which is preferably shod with metal to engage the hooked end of a link K which hangs from the carriage. The carriage is also mounted in the uprights H and comprises a shaft K on which are mounted to move therewith three arms, two of which K are located one at each end of the shaft K and the other K midway between the ends of the shaft. Two cross-bars 70, connect the rear ends of these three arms. Midway between the ends of. the cross-bar 70 the link K is loosely hung. To hold it on the cross-bar so that it will register with the trip lever I prefer to make its upper end forked and to bind each fork around the cross-bar 76 one fork on each side of the arm K It will be noted that one end of the carriage is overweighted so that it normally lies in the position shown in Fig. 1.

Upon the shaft K are mounted two contact arms K in such a manner that the shaft and arms K and K may have a movement independent of the arms K. The arms K have at their outer ends tabs 70 which normally rest on the arms K and they are so held by a torsion spring K wound on the shaft K on both sides of the arm K The winding of the two ends of the spring is in opposite directions, the extremities of the spring being attached to the arms K and the two parts of the spring being connected by the loop 76 which rests on the arm K this arrangement being such that when the link K is pulled down by the trip lever C the farther ends of all the arms K K and K will be lifted. The arms K have terminals 76 at their outer ends which as shown are pieces of metal tubing each capable of rotation on its arm so as not only to make a good electrical contact with the under side of the plates which are shaped to afford a proper surface for the purpose but also with the idea that they will turn fromrtime to time on their axes and so distribuate the wear. The same resultthat is, a constantly-changing contact pointmight be otherwise attained,

In their upward movement the ends of the arms K will strike the plates 9 which are carried by the blocks g, before the trip lever C has released the link K so that the free ends of the arms K and K will be given a still further movement (see dotted lines in Fig. 2). By means of the spring K a firm contact between 70 and g is secured and it is maintained with increasing force during the additional upward movement of the arms K and K and means are preferably provided to slow down the return movement of these arms after the trip lever has released the link so that this contact will be maintained for a suliicient'time to secure the electrical operation of the track switch. In my said patent, the delaying of the breaking of the electric contact between the carriage and the terminals is brought about by electric means. In the present case mechanical means are shown and while various forms of mechanism for delaying motion known in the art might be used, I prefer to use the following :-L is a dashpot the lower part of which may be filled with mercury, glycerin or other viscous fluid. L is a floating piston which fits suiiiciently loosely in the dashpot to allow the slow escape of the liquid around its edge so that it may move vertically therein. Its spccilic gravity must be such that it will lie normally at the surface of the liquid in the v dashpot. The piston L is connected by a piston rod Z with an arm Z mounted 011 a shaft Z which turns in bearings in an extension L of the dashpot L. Through one end of the shaft Z passes a pin Z the upper end of which is connected with a connecting rod L the farther end of which is pivotally connected with the upper end of the lever L This lever is pivoted at Z between the plates G, and its lower end is brought outward and terminates in a hook Z (see Fig. 4) which lies in the path of the wedgeshaped end of the arm K The K carries a leaf spring on one side on the end of which is a wedge-shaped shoe or latch 70 which thus has a lateral movement so that as the arm rises the shoe rides around the point of the hook Z and when it has passed above the hook resumes its normal position overlapping it. The relation of these parts will be understood from Fig. 4 where the normal position of the shoe or latch and the hook is shown. It will be seen that the lifting of the latch will cause it to engage the side edge of the hook which will push it to one side until it gets above the hook when it will spring back and rest in the hook. \Vhen the trip lever C releases the link K the spring K will pull down the arm K and its end 70 will press upon the hook Z and turn the lever L throwing the rod L to the left (see Fig. 2) and cause the piston L to be moved downward through its controlling fluid. This downward movement will be slow, its speed depending upon the liquid used and the relative diameters of the piston and the dashpot. When the hook Z and the arm K separate the spring which is still under tension will move the carriage 6 and the other end with the rail A by the wire 6 and binding screw 6 The coil M 1s dormant therefore unless a car is drawmg current from the trolley wire through its trolley which is running onthe rail A, the

circuit then being from the trolley wire to the plate E binding screw 6 wire 6, coil M, wire 6 binding screw 6 and rail A. lVhen this coil M is energized its core M attracts its armature m which is pivoted at e tothe plate E. As inmy said patent, the armature m is connected to the yoke switch M by a connecting rod 912, loosely'connected to said armature, the yoke switch being normally in contact with the terminal .1723. When the armature m is attracted it throws the yoke switch out of contact with the terminal m and into contact with the terminal m The loose connectionbetween the armature m and the yoke switch 1V 2 is such that the armature may complete its stroke and insure a good contact between the yoke switch and its terminal.

The circuit of the circuit-locking magnet as shown is as follows: One of the plates is connected by the wire g with the post a (shown in the form of a screw eye). This post n is connected with a spring plate a on the baseboard D preferably by a fuse or wire of high resistance n made in two parts soldered together as at n with a solder having a low melting point. The plate n is connected by the wire with the wire 7) which, as stated above, is connected with the metal plate B The plate a is preferably a spring plate so that the fuse wire may be easily attached to it. The other plate g is electrically connected with one end of the coil N of the circuit-locking magnet, the other end of this coil being connected by wire a to the yoke switch M by which current runs to either the terminal 727! or the terminal wa and by wires m or m to the appropriate part of the track switch. The

yoke switch is preferably made of iron to be held in place by the attraction of the core i 1 when the coil Nis energized. When the trip lever C has lifted the ends of the arms K into contact with the plates the current will pass from the trolley wire and the metal plate B through the branch of the wire 6, plate of, wire n, post 71?, wire a plate carriage arms K and their conned" tions to the other plate 9 coil N, wire a, yoke switch M and then to either the terminal m or m according to the position of the yoke switch. It will be noted that if the car is drawing current through the coil M the yoke switch will remain in contact with the terminal m?. It will also be noted that when the carriage is in its contacting position there will always be current passing from the trolley wire through the coil N andv yoke switch M to one of the track switch magnets, which one depending upon which the yoke switch is contacting with, m or m The yoke switch is preferably provided with spring contacts m of copper or the like.

The track switch may be of any usual construction. The mounting of its operating mechanism is shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14 where P is the track and P is the switch tongue which has a plate p projecting therefrom laterally. To this plate 79 isattached a connecting rod P which is connected to an arm 9 carried by the shaft which also carries a second arm 79 connected by a connecting rod 39 with the plunger 79 of solenoids P 1". One of the solenoids P -is connected with the wire m and the other with the wire 071;. Both solenoids are grounded. The shaft 79 iscontrolled by a spring P The ournal boxes in switches of this class are usually held in place by bolts or screws. I prefer, however, the construction shown where each journal box 19 is in the shape of a truncated wedge, the recess in the casting which supports it being shaped at one side to receiveit. Each journal box is grooved as at 29 39 one groove bein adapted to fit a rib on the castin and the other 79 to fit a rib 79 on the key block 72 This key block 0 is ofcomplementary shape and slips down into said recesses driving the journal box 29 into place and is held in position by a spring 2) the upper end of which bears against a plate which. projects from the top of the casing, and is centered by the pin p The casing is preferably mounted on a hollow concrete foundation P suflicient in size to contain the solenoid and to afford plenty of room for the dirt which usually collects in switches of this kind and for all necessary drainage,

The details of my device may be varied in many ways without departing from the spirit of-my invention.

YVh at I claim as my invention is 1. In a device of the kind described, a

ley-operated means for moving it to close its circuit, and a yielding support for bolding it temporarily in its c1rcu1t-clos1ng p0s1- tion.

3. In a device of the kind described, a clrcuit closer normally out of circuit, trolley-operated means for moving it to close trolley-operated means and be moved by it into disengaging position whereby the said trolley-operated means will be released.

l. In a device of the kind described, a circuit closer normally out of circuit, trolley operated means for moving it to close its circuit, mechanism for returning it to its normal position, and mechanical means one member of which is carried by said circuit closer to detain said circuit closer in its return movement.

5. In a device of the kind described, a circuit closer normally out of circuit and comprising two arms, terminals adapted to be engaged by said arms, a latch, and connections between said latch and said arms and comprising a spring whereby said latch may have a movement independent of said arms, a yielding member adapted to engage said latch, and means whereby the movement of said yielding member will be controlled.

6. In a device of the kind described, a circuit closer normally out of circuit and comprising two arms, terminals adapted to be engaged by said arms, latch, and connections between said latch and said arms and comprising a spring whereby said latch may have a movement independent of said arms, a yielding member adapted to engage said latch, and means comprising a dashpot having a piston and connections between said'piston and said yielding member whereby the movements of said yielding member will be delayed.

7. In a device of the kind described, a circuit closer comprising a shaft, two contact arms independently mounted thereon, two holding arms mounted thereon to turn therewith, yielding means adapted to hold said holding arms normally in contact with said contact arms, a latch member also controlled by said yielding means and adapted to move with said holding arms independently of said contact arms, and means adapted to engage said latch member temporarily when said holding arms and said contact arms are out of contact.

8. In a device of the kind described, a rockable circuit closer, a latch member carried thereby and comprising an arm, a spring attached to one side thereof, a latch attached to the end of said spring whereby it may have ayielding movement laterally of said arm, and a detaining mechanism comprising a hook located in the l1ne of movement of said arm and adapted to be engaged by said latch and move it laterally during the upward rocking of said circuit closer and thereafter to receive and retain it during a portion of its downward movement.

9. In a device of the kind described, a dashpot, a piston located therein, a connecting rod connected thereto, a swing hook also connected to said connecting rod, a rockable circuit closer and means for rocking it comprising a trip lever and a link carried by said circuit closer and adapted to be engaged by said trip lever, and a latch mounted on said circuit closer and adapted when said circuit closer is rocked to engage said hook.

10. In a device of the kind described, a circuit controller, comprising a normally open switch operating circuit, means positively actuated by the trolley wheel of a car to close said switch circuit, and yielding means of resistance whereby said normally open'circuit is automatically opened within a predetermined time limit.

11. A normally open electric circuit switch, means adapted to engage said switch and move it to close its circuit, said means being operable by the trolley wheel of a passing car, and means whereby said switch is thereafter allowed to open within a predetermined time limit, said means compris ing switch-holding means separable from said switch and a dashpot connected to said switch-holding means.

12. A normally open switch operating circuit, a trolley actuated switching member adapted to close said normally open circuit, two contact arms comprised in said switching member, said contact arms carrying detachable roller contacts adapted to close the normally open switch ope "a-ting circuit, substantially as described.

13. In a device of the kind described, a switch to close a normally open circuit having two breaks therein adapted to be closed simultaneously, means operable by a passing car to close said switch, and automatic yielding means comprising a dashpot whereby said electric circuit switch will occupy a predetermined time in returning to its normal position.

1a. In a device of the kind described, a normally open electric circuit switch, means operable by the trolley wheel of a passing car to close said electric circuit switch, a plurality of contacts comprised in said electric circuit switch, and'yielding means comprising a. dashpot to retard the return of said switch to its normal position whereby said switch will occupy a predetermined time in returning to its normal position,

15. In a device of the kind described, a normally open electric circuit switch,-means operable by the trolley Wheel of a passing car to move said electric circuit switch positively into closing position, automatic mechanical means for returning said switch member to its normal position and a retarding mechanism operable to delay the return of said switch member for a predetermined time.

CHARLES WM. SQUIRES. YVitnesses;

ALIcE M. SWEE'lM-AN, CHARLES F. LEE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five: cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,- Washington, D. C. 

